MEDIA ROOM

Madison or Bust? Gold Prospecting around town.

A local stream might be home to gold deposits

Among Madison's many outdoor recreational activities, there is one that might have payoffs other than the enjoyment of fresh air and beautiful scenery.

Several streams around Madison that empty into the Kennebec River have been known to harbor placer deposits (gold in sediments) and with the price of gold hovering around $900 per ounce, it could be a prosperous way to cool off and get outdoors this summer.

The Sandy River and the Swift River are two popular places for treasure hunters. Go to the Media Page and click on "Audio & Video" for an audio clip of Keith Blackwell and Norman Dean talking about gold prospecting in the region and the gold that is hidden beneath Madison Paper Industries.

Residents and visitors interested in searching for the precious metal should review mineral panning and mining regulations. A permit is not needed in most locations, but the Maine Geological Survey is a good source for information, click here.

Another online resource that offers comments about locations and prospecting results in Maine and elsewhere can be found here: miningold.com/states/me.html.

Gold panning is an activity that doesn't require a lot of investment or skill, just some patience and a good eye. A great set of instructions on what kind of sediments to look for and the panning techniques are available here.

Good luck and enjoy!

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